Jane Goodall: The Hope
Channel: National Geographic (DStv 181) and Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Documentary, Wildlife
This sweeping film highlights Dr. Goodall's vast legacy of four decades, having transformed environmentalism, non-human animal welfare and conservation through her innovative approaches.
This special depicts the formation of the Jane Goodall Institute's (JGI's) "Tacare" community-centered conservation approach and Roots & Shoots youth-empowerment program; her advocacy and leadership on behalf of chimpanzees and humanity; and the next chapter for generations to come.
This singular story is of one remarkable woman who not only hoped for a better world — she achieved it.
Picking up where National Geographic Documentary Films' 2017 film Jane left off, the two-hour special follows Goodall throughout her constant travels, capturing her relentless commitment and determination to spread a message of hope.
The film offers an intimate perspective of Goodall's pivotal transformation from scientist to inspirational activist and leader in holistic conservation.
Featuring an extensive collection of photographs and footage that spans more than seven decades, the documentary illustrates how her passion for wildlife and unshakeable drive has persevered, making her one of the most important figures in wildlife conservation and someone who has galvanized future generations to create lasting change.
Expanding upon Goodall's past and highlighting the ways in which she has changed the world, the film features The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, who has been a leader in conservation and global environmental issues; and presents exclusive interviews with James Baker, former U.S. secretary of state, who received the first JGI International Conservation Award for his work with chimpanzees.
As the 60th anniversary of her arrival to the chimpanzee kingdom in Gombe approaches, she spends time with her family in Tanzania and returns to her wild Eden, reflecting on all the efforts being made to safeguard its future and create a sustainable future for the Earth.
Circus of Books
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Documentary
For 35-plus years, the gay porn shop Circus of Books gave Los Angeles' LGBT+ community a space to socialise and celebrate themselves without judgement.
Unbeknownst to many customers, the store was cultivated by owners Karen and Barry Mason, a straight, mainstream couple with three children who went to religious school and were unaware of their parents' business.
The Masons long refused to disclose the nature of their business to friends or family.
While maintaining the secret, they witnessed the dawn of the HIV/AIDS epidemic firsthand, losing a generation of treasured employees.
Still, during that time, they never identified as activists — just everyday entrepreneurs catering to a market, until the Internet destroyed it.
Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Circus of Books is the debut documentary from artist Rachel Mason, who finally asks the least radical people she knows — her parents — how they became America's biggest distributors of gay porn, and why Karen reacted so negatively when her own son came out of the closet.
Big Papi Needs a Job
Channel: 1Magic (DStv 103)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Reality, Sport
David Ortiz, the one and only Big Papi, has jacked his last mammoth home run into the Fenway stands.
He retired after the 2016 season as one of the most decorated and best-loved players in Red Sox history.
Of course, if you know anything about Big Papi, you know the man isn't about to rest on his laurels. He's already going out of his mind — and he's driving his family nuts too.
They all agree on one thing — this man was not built for a retirement made up of puttering around the house. He needs to find himself some gainful employment — and fast.
Watch Big Papi as he seeks out new jobs and opportunities with hilarious and surprising results.
Inside the Ritz Hotel
Channel: ITV Choice (DStv 123)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary Series
A behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most famous hotels in the world stands out from the rest, as we get special access to its inner workings.
Famous faces to watch out for include actors Richard E. Grant and Jim Broadbent, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
The Ritz opens its doors and allows us to peek inside and see the workings of one of the greatest hotels in the world.
Absurd! Planet
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Wildlife, Documentary Series
Afi Ekulona narrates as Mother Nature in this nature series inspired by Wired magazine's "Absurd Creature of the Week."
A cast of quirky critters and Mother Nature herself narrate this funny science series, which peeks into the lives of Earth's most incredible animals.
Evil
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Supernatural, Drama, Thriller
A psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion.
Forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard is hired by the Catholic Church to work with David Acosta, a priest-in-training, and contractor Ben Shakir, to determine whether a serial killer is possessed by a demon or merely a psychopath.
Kristen finds that she has a taste for the work and is invited to join the team on a permanent basis.
The series focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a contractor as they investigate the Church's backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings.
Kristen Bouchard cuts ties as an expert witness for the District Attorney after being pushed to lie in court regarding an alleged murderer who appeared to be possessed.
To make ends meet, Kristen accepts a job offer from David Acosta, a former adventure-seeking journalist now studying to be a priest and tasked by the Church to assess unexplained phenomena.
Rounding out the trio is Ben Shakir, an even-tempered realist recruited by Acosta for his carpentry skills, which he uses to uncover practical rationales behind "hauntings."
Ever logical, Kristen is certain science can provide answers to every incident they encounter - including her own chillingly real night terrors.
That is, until she meets Leland Townsend, a sinister man who oozes menace and threatens her and her four young daughters.
Undeterred, Kristen, David and Ben set out to assess inexplicable events to see if there's a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.
Naked and Afraid: Alone
Channel: Discovery Channel (DStv 121)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Reality
Surviving in one of the world's most hostile environments with no food, no water, and no clothes is a challenge that only the toughest individuals can endure.
But doing it alone takes it to the next level.
In this series, eight elite survivalists from previous series return to tackle a new 21-day challenge, without a tribe, without a partner. They are all alone.
With no help of any kind, not only are the tasks of gathering food, water, fire and shelter more physically demanding, trying to survive in complete solitude for three weeks tests their mental toughness like never before.
These individuals pride themselves on being tough - but can they rely on themselves to endure these gruelling conditions?
Stumptown
Channel: M-Net City (DStv 115)
TX Time: 20h50
Genre: Drama
Based on the Stumptown graphic novel series, Stumptown follows Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders) - a strong, assertive and sharp-witted army veteran with a complicated love life, gambling debt and a brother to take care of in Portland, Oregon.
Her military intelligence skills make her a great PI, but her unapologetic style puts her in the firing line of hardcore criminals and not quite in alliance with the police.
With only herself to rely on, she solves other people's messes with a blind eye toward her own.
Win the Wilderness
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Reality Competition, Nature
Six intrepid British couples brave sub-zero temperatures, wild bears and predators as they compete to win a home deep within the Alaskan wilderness.
Situated over 100 miles from the nearest road, the three-storey property is the home and legacy of Duane and Rena Ose, the married couple who spent over 30 years building it.
Now both in their 70s, and with their children unable to take it on, the Oses are searching for a couple to inherit their life's work.
Travelling deep into the Alaskan wilderness, the destination of the hopeful couples is Lost Lake Wilderness Camp. Here they will live together and face four keys tests, each based on the Oses' own experiences in the wild.
Whichever couple impresses most on each test earns a flight to see Duane and Rena's home on Ose Mountain and experience life there first hand.
Upon arrival at camp, the couples are met by CJ, a local survival expert who has been entrusted by the Oses to scrutinise and assess each couple.
After receiving instruction about the perils of the local wildlife, namely bears, the first test is revealed to the group.
Provided with canvas sheets, ropes and minimal instructions, the couples must use the surrounding forest to build the shelters they will live in during their time in the Alaskan bush.
Battling the harsh Alaskan elements, the couples decide to work together and eventually all of them manage to construct their shelters.
The next morning, after CJ reports back his observations to Duane and Rena, the Oses invite one couple to make the 100-mile journey by bush plane to their home.
From the moment they touch down, the couple have 24 hours to prove themselves to Duane and Rena.
If they demonstrate their potential to their hosts, they will make it onto the Oses' shortlist for new owners and return to the wilderness camp. If they don't, Duane and Rena will send them straight back to the UK.
After showing them around, the couple are put to work by the Oses, felling trees to make firewood and bringing in the harvest.
Back at Lost Lake, CJ has been joined by two local search and rescue experts to give the remaining couples a lesson in surviving cold-water shock.
One volunteer from each couple must jump fully dressed into the cold waters of Lost Lake, before working with their partner to create a fire and stave off hypothermia.
With CJ closing observing, one of the couples within the group struggles to get their flame going under the pressurised conditions.
The following day, the couple who spent the night on Ose Mountain wake up to face Duane and Rena's verdict.
After 24 hours trying to impress their hosts, it is down to the Oses to decide whether their dream of owning a home in Alaska is over, or whether the couple's Alaskan adventure has only just begun.